The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 340: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE CRIME 309 and the coal sheds threw forth a less vivid glare than usual. Barney the Burker raised the collar of his coat over his ears, and pulled his greasy comforter up to his lips, at the same time diving both his hands into the capacious pockets of his coat, as he sped briskly along. The Scotts respectively pursued their own shivering ways, without the advantage of either upper coat or comforter, for the good luck which they had experienced in their predatory exploits the evening but one before had led to no improvement of their costume, inasmuch as Barney the Burker purposely kept them in this impoverished and half-ragged state that they might have the appearance of mendicants and thus all the more easily conduct their operations on the pockets of the unwary. Barney was the first to reach the Smedleys’ house, which he entered by means of the alley leading by the side of the chapel, and in a few minutes he was followed by the elder Scott. At the expiration of a few more minutes the younger lad joined them, and they were all three soon seated in the scullery in company with the Smedleys and Mrs. Webber. Liquor and glasses were upon the table, and supplies of hot grog were mixed, while the conversation commenced. ‘“ Well, so nuffin was done yesterday? ’’ said the Burker, after a few indifferent remarks had been exchanged. ‘I should have looked down last night accordin’ to appint- ment, if it hadn’t been for the message you, Jack, sent to the contrairy by Tim Scott when you happened to meet him.” ‘Don’t you remember,” said Mrs. Smedley, ‘‘ it was agreed upon we should get hold of that letter which Mr. Smith was going to send off — ”’ ‘““ Ay, to be sure,’ remarked the Burker, “‘ and so I sup- pose he didn’t send no letter at all? ”’ ‘“Not yesterday,’ replied Mrs. Smedley; ‘he said he should put it. off till to-day.” ‘“ And he was in a worse tremble than ever when he said so,’ added the old mother. ‘“ Quite narvous, eh? ”’ said the Burker, and then he took a long draught of spirits and water. ‘‘ There’s nothing like this for the narves, and I do raly think that a genelman could go as a genelman ought to Tuck up Fair, and cut his last fling in an exceedin’ dashin’ style, if he was only well primed with lush, But come, what about this here letter?” EORNIClOoKS (C(O)